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The Best Gifts from Schoharie County

Shrederis Colluded to Hand CHHA, Health Dept to Ethington

Written By Editor on 11/4/13 | 11/4/13

After spending hours of time reviewing the second portion of the Fitzmaurice Report released Friday evening, two years worth of county board minutes and holding several off-the-record conversations with members of the board, the Schoharie News has been able to put together the final piece of the puzzle.
That piece?

Uncovering a conspiracy of supervisors, who aligned with the now-suspended Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington, worked in coordination to not only aid Ms. Ethingon's desire to take over the Health Department but also the questionable closure of the Community Home Health Agency in 2010. 

According to the report, Ms. Ethington "interposed herself in the affairs of the Health Department long before she was asked by the County Attorney to handle the closure of the CHHA," and that after "continually imposing herself in the discussions for the sale of the CHHA's license and management of the department."
This was confirmed by not only e-mails between herself and multiple supervisors in the report, but on multiple occasions are clearly stated in county board minutes, most notably during a special meeting in July 2009 when former Middleburgh Supervisor Dennis Richards asked Ms. Ethington to address board members concerning the financials of CHHA, the County and additional issues facing the program. Then Health Director Kathleen Strack argued against closure or sale, while Ms. Ethington used her position to push the advantages of private over public ownership.

Ms. Ethington would continue to subvert the authority of Ms. Strack from that July meeting until the former director's resignation in late 2010, with Fitzmaurice stating that "Ethington actively sought a managerial role within the Health Department even before the director's resignation." She would later email Supervisor Richards in anticipation of Ms. Strack's resignation asking if that "Since I have been doing all of this work already, I would like to be considered for the interim health department team."

In the aftermath of Ms. Strack's resignation, Ms. Ethington ghost wrote a letter of recommendation for herself by then-Wright Supervisor Bill Goblet, who passed away earlier this year, using the Public Health Committee's letter head which she e-mailed back to the Supervisor Goblet for "inspection and distribution." The letter constituted an official grant of authority by Supervisor Goblet, head of the aforementioned committee, who motioned in January 2011 for the board to "request Ms. Ethington to continue in the capacity of managing the health department."


All of this occurred in the months after the county board dealt with CHHA, which despite considerable opposition by county health officials, employees and seven town supervisors, was sold to an outside firm from Rochester on an abrupt motion by Supervisor Goblet in August 2010. Ms. Ethington would later be asked by County Attorney Mike West to "handle the closure of the CHHA."

Multiple sources in County government confirm that former Supervisor Shrederis assisted in the corralling of votes on the Board despite other members' reservations and without the direct collusion of the three Supervisors as directed by the request from Ethington, that the CHHA transfer and, by extension, her stint as Health Director, could not have occurred.



Supervisor Goblet's motion, which was tabled and then untabled in a series of votes, was supported by Supervisor Richards - who initiated the entire process over a year prior - former Supervisor Martin Shrederis and other implied members of Ms. Ethington's email network. Then-Chairman of the Board Earl Van Wormer refused to sign the contract with the Rochester firm, which then Vice-Chair Shrederis signed without complaint.

Angered by the board's decision, Fulton Supervisor Phil Skowfoe stated that he was "appalled at the Board," particularly against Supervisors Richards and Shrederis, adding that when the board gave CHHA time to turn things around that they "were there." He concluded his statement by blasting the process and accusing those included of "soliciting behind the scenes."

Whether it be Ms. Ethington's takeover of the Health Department or CHHA's transition into private hands, there is a clear and documented collusion between the suspended Personnel Director and former Supervisors Shrederis, Richards, and Goblet, with emails showing close ties to additional supervisors who later formed the basis for the Vroman/Conservative faction that has actively opposed and attempted to prohibit the Report's completion.



Sources: Ethington Received Unredacted Report from Singletary, Has Access to Confidential Interviews

Written By Editor on 11/3/13 | 11/3/13

Cassandra Ethington may have been suspended on Friday, but she may now have access to the names and interviews of those that testified against her in the Fitzmaurice Report. According to multiple sources, Supervisor Dan Singletary was handing out multiple copies of the unredacted first portion of the Report-- and in all likelihood at least one copy went to the Personnel Director.

Many of those interviewed were hesitant (or did not take part) because of fear of retaliation. Some spoke strictly on the basis of anonymity. Only the attorneys from Fitzmaurice, Schoharie County attorneys, and the Board of Supervisors were to have access to the confidential information, which included names and specific complaints. The fear that these employees would face firing, demotion, or lawsuits from those accused in the Report was palpable.

If Cassandra Ethington received a copy of the first portion of the Report, she now knows who said what and when to the investigators. With her now infamous claim that she would sue any person that testified the idea that she has the list of those that started the process that will likely end in her dismissal is a disturbing prospect.

The Schoharie News to Ethington: From our Cold, Dead Hands

Todd Ethington believes that he can rally his supporters against the allegations against his wife Cassandra by attacking the messenger. Ultimately, it is not the Schoharie News, or Gene Milone, or Bill Cherry that acted in the way that Cassandra Ethington and her allies did. That is their burden to bear, not for those that are fighting against it.

The allies of the Conservative Party have been up to one dirty trick after another: alleged illegal push polling against Dan Singletary's opponent Sean Jordan, a mailer attacking Bill Cherry, Carl Barbic, Gene Milone, and Phil Skowfoe for daring to stand up to the Ethington machine, and now a call for the very First Amendment rights that we hold dear to be silenced.

No, Mr. Ethington.

Soldiers fought and died for that right. Men and women worked diligently for decades to protect that right. The Constitution was written to ensure that right.

Freedom of the press and freedom of speech are not simple playthings to be thrown away when things are not going your way.

If you want coverage to change, act differently. If you want negative coverage to become positive, be constructive yourself.

To call for the silencing of people you disagree with is against the values that you have taken an oath to uphold.

If you want to stop democracy-- if you want to stop the Schoharie News-- if you want to stop the discourse of the people of the County-- if you want to stop investigations into corruption-- if you want to trample upon the natural rights of anyone we have a message for you:

From our cold, dead hands.

Ethington to Supporters: I Will Fight to Make Activity Like the Schoharie News "Illegal"

Editor's note: Below is a copy of what Todd Ethington placed on his public Facebook page. It is in its entirety so that I won't be accused of taking things out of context-- and with some emphasis added. After his interview the Ethington campaign has made zero efforts to reach out to me or correct any "half-truths." I am the Schoharie County Young Republican Chair and am willing to support worthy candidates of any party. My site is mine alone and not the mouthpiece for the GOP or any candidate.

Todd Ethington blasted critics for what he described as "bullying." He calls for actions like the Schoharie News and the criticism that he and his wife as received to become illegal. As to not color opinion on his words-- here they are in their entirety posted on Facebook.
The Schoharie News is run by the President of the Schoharie County young republicans. Each day he reports a story with half truths or that are completely incorrect. He has been given information to correct his stories or to get both sides, yet he never does. He has used this site to push the Republican views onto the public as truthful and researched news, when in fact they are not. I have run a positive campaign, I have not attacked another candidate and when my supporters have wanted to respond to the nonsense I have asked them not to. I am all for freedom of speech but this has become ridiculous. I guess the behavior of the adults explains how and why kids are bullying others kids to the point of suicide. People are hiding behind fake screen names attacking each other, what has happened in the world to make people think this kind of behavior is acceptable. Win or lose I am going to make it my life's mission to get laws passed making this kind of behavior illegal. The internet was not made to attack people, it was made to connect with people.

Conservative Party Mailer Blasts Cherry, Supervisors for Report

Just hours after the Board of Supervisors voted to release the damning details of Fitzmaurice's second portion of their controversial report, opponents of Treasurer Bill Cherry and leading supervisors that were behind the report's initiation and subsequent release sent a massive mailer to thousands of residents blasting the aforementioned as being apart of the "good old boys club," urging no votes against Fulton Supervisor Phil Skowfoe, Seward Supervisor Carl Barbic and Schoharie Supervisor Eugene Milone.



The mailer accuses Mr. Cherry and the aforementioned supervisors of attempting to "control patronage in the county by funding a "Report" that targets their political rivals - employees of the county." It goes on to claim that "they released the report 2 weeks before Election Day, hoping it would sink their rivals," concluding in large red print that "their plan backfired."


Although difficult to read in the picture above, it states tellingly that the mailer was "Paid for by the Schoharie County Committee of the Conservative Party of New York State."

Opinion: An Option for the Discontented

Editor's Note: Lots of editorials over the next couple of days through the election.

This year's race sees many worthy candidates and many that need to be kicked out of office. However, in some cases there are no good options.

Take the Town of Summit. Cassandra Ethington ally Harold Vroman has the Republican, Democratic, and Conservative Parties' backing and faces no opposition. This should not be the case for a myriad of reasons.

If you are faced with a situation where there is no one to vote for I have a simple suggestion. Write in someone as a protest vote. Let's all have the same name so that it can register in the final tally. Might I suggest "the Schoharie News" so that we can see how many people are tired of the existing system and the lack of choice.

If you don't have a good candidate write in this newspaper. Can't be any worse than what we have now.

Opinion: Murray's Final Disgrace

Editor's Note: In the first draft we accidentally wrote "Dan" Murray, likely because of his similarities to Dan Singletary.

Incumbent Supervisor Tom Murray of Cobleskill has had a tumultuous tenure over the last four years, to say the least.

His first term was marred by the "N-word" incident which brought down Mayor Mark Nadeau and exposed Murray as, at the very least, having very poor judgement.

Meanwhile, his second term is even worse. He assisted in the Cobleskill water expansion which could destroy the business district and funnel money towards preferred businesses along the Route 7 corridor. On top of this, his poor negotiating skills helped kill any deal to get Guilford Mills up and running again.

However, since the release of the Fitzmaurice Report last month, it became apparent that Murray was a chief backer of the Ethingtons. Murray was involved in civil service abuse, rudeness, and wanted strong women "wrap[ped] in cotton."

Such behavior is over the line and deserves firing, but it got even more disrespectful on Friday.

Thomas Murray was one of three Supervisors that did not show up in time to vote on the suspension of Cassandra Ethington or to release the second portion of the Report. Murray showed incredible lack of couth in not coming to at least face the 50 people in the audience-- many of whom were people whose lives were destroyed or hurt by Cassandra Ethington. His blatant lack of respect to the people that make the County work while he has been allied with the suspended Personnel Director is far too far to accept.

Voters of Cobleskill: wrap Tom Murray up in cotton and send him packing with Cassandra Ethington.


Anti-Incumbent Fervor May Prevent Ethington's Firing

Written By Editor on 11/2/13 | 11/2/13

Cassandra Ethington will be on the chopping block in next month's hearing, but there could be a severe issue about whether or not she would actually be axed. If the Board of Supervisors receives a stay in the meeting and it is delayed until late December Cassandra Ethington may be untouchable.

The question of how this would even be possible comes to light.

Much of it comes from electoral math. Voters are rightfully angry with the Board of Supervisors, but this anger against the Board as a whole may allow certain Ethington allies to win on Tuesday.

Ethington's closest ally Dan Singletary of Jefferson is almost certainly going to be defeated on Tuesday, but his less than 2% of weighted votes on the Board is almost insignificant during the firing process.

If the largest share of weighted votes represented by Cobleskill can stay in the hands of Ethington ally Thomas Murray, nearly 50% of the Board's votes are in the Conservative Party's backing.

Meanwhile the former Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Harold Vroman of Summit, has no opposition.

The entire balance of the Board of Supervisors would then come down to the third-largest share of votes-- and the balance of the majority. This is the Schoharie race between the first voice for the investigation that brought down Cassandra Ethington, Gene Milone and Conservative Party-backed Martin Shrederis.

If Shrederis, a known associate of the Ethingtons, wins on Tuesday along with Murray, enough votes could keep Cassandra Ethington in her job-- perhaps on extended suspension with pay. Beyond this, there is the possibility that the new majority would open hearings to try and discredit the findings in the Fitzmaurice Report.

Voters want incumbents gone, but it appears that many of the problems in the County are not based on incumbency, but rather candidates' relationships with Todd and Cassandra Ethington.

Ethington: I Never Harrassed Employees

Embattled Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington took a defensive stance on the latest revelations regarding allegations that she violated various Civil Service and other laws. According to a report from YNN, she is completely innocent.
"I have never threatened a County employee. I have never harassed or bullied a County employee. I have spent my entire professional career at Schoharie County doing my best to serve the taxpayer and protect the rights of the hard working employees of Schoharie County."

Second Report: Ethington Threatened Lawsuits Against those that Spoke to Investigators Against Her

Written By Editor on 11/1/13 | 11/1/13

The very last public portion of the Second Report seems to sum up much of the controversy going on around the County. It shows that Cassandra Ethington said that she would challenge any County employees that spoke negatively about her with investigators.

This is a direct quote from a redacted employee:
"On at least one occasion I recall Cassie telling me that any County employee who spoke to the Fitzmaurice lawyers and spoke/testified against her; trying to ruin her reputation- they would be cross-examined by her attorney. She indicated she would sue any employee if she had to."

The Second Report: Ethington Gave Job to Conservative Party Chair after Changing Civil Service Listing Illegally, Husband then Received Conservative Party Nomination for Sheriff

There is an entire section of the second portion of the Fitzmaurice Report that seems to confirm what rumors around the County Civil Service seemed to imply. Cassandra Ethington appeared to exchange a civil service job in exchange for a political favor.

Two of the three custodians at the County DPW felt that the job description for the custodial supervisor's role had been changed to prevent them from getting the job.

William Hanson, the head of the Schoharie County Conservative Party was interviewed. His name was redacted in some portions of the Report, but his last name appeared unredacted in another part of the Report discussing the case.

Cassandra Ethington is also a member of the Conservative Party and worked with Hanson in 2009 to help elect Tony Desmond Sheriff. Hanson said that it was "his sole decision" to nominate Desmond for the line.

In early 2011, Hanson emailed Ethington asking: "did you find me a job yet?" Three days later he repeated the question.

Another woman was recommended for the job as head cleaner but former DPW head Tom Fignani said, "Yeah but Cassandra wants Bill Hanson." Ethington asked for Hanson to receive the job to which a redacted employee said that Hanson was part of a group "bullying their way in."

Ethington allegedly changed the job descriptions to exclude other candidates and force Mr. Hanson into the job.

When interviewed by Fitzmaurice and Walsh about his hiring by Mrs. Ethington, Hanson responded with "where does the politics stop and the discrimination start?" He repeated it a second time.

Hanson was interviewed another time with a union rep. This time when asked whether Cassandra Ethington helped get him his job illegally he just said, "Goodbye" and left.

Hanson told interviewers that he had read about the job description on the County website. When asked if Ethington told him about it-- he said "No." Meanwhile, his application for the job came in four full months before they were even requested on the County website. On his application he checked the box that he heard about the job from "FRIEND OR FAMILY."

Ethington then refused an interview by investigators on the subject.

Earlier this year Ethington's husband Todd received Bill Hanson's support and the Conservative Party's line on the ballot Tuesday.

Board Votes to Release the Second Report

The Board of Supervisors held another special meeting tonight to decide what to do with part two of the Fitzmaurice Report. In an 10-2 vote the Board voted to release it. Supervisor Harold Vroman and Supervisor Dan Singletary voted no.

The 56 page Report outlines even graver accusations against now-suspended Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington and actions taken during her tenure. The second portion of the Report combed through thousands of emails, Ethington's files, and a second round of interviews.

There was so much information that the author wrote, "when we searched county emails it became obvious that we would have a challenge eliminating topics to be included in the report."

Could take months, said District Attorney Jim Sacket. An outside firm will be hired to search into the additional allegations. Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone asked-- what if the Board of Supervisors had conspired to introduce the layoffs and used the flood as an excuse?

Second Report: Ethington Claimed Not to Want Health Director Job, But Wrote Own Hiring Letter

Cassandra Ethington told investigators from the Fitzmaurice and Walsh lawfirm that she did not want the job as interim Health Director and that it was forced upon her by the Board of Supervisors. Instead, she wrote the draft letter for her own hiring.

In a letter to late Supervisor Bill Goblet, Ethington effectively hired herself without Board approval. She said that since she was assisting in the selling of the County Home Health services, she was "doing all of this work already." She wrote the letter on Health Department letterhead and never indicated that she had done so.

Both Supervisor Harold Vroman and President of the Board of Health Betsy Bernocco signed off on the civil service form accepting her. The Board itself approved the job transfer in January 2011.

Ethington accused one employee Eva Gigandet of being "out of control" after she attended a public health seminar. Ethington asked in an email "what is with her?" Mrs. Ethington broke confidentiality-- emailing criticism of Gigandet to Gigandet herself "accidentally."

Mrs. Gigandet was later fired and sued for improper dismissal. The case was dismissed.

Second Report: Ethington Had 'No Competence' in Health Dept, Fired Employee that Questioned Role

Cassandra Ethington's tenure as head of the County Health Department caused many problems, including those that were included in the first part of the Fitzmaurice Report. However, upon further inspection the situation was even worse than originally believed.

Ethington was advised by both a member of the Board of Supervisors and the County Board's attorney to not pursue the Health Department opening but did so anyway. She wrote the letter that appointed herself to the position herself.

An employee in the Department, Kim Euler questioned whether or not the appointment was legal. Ms. Euler was previously described in work reports as "Extremely effective" but Mrs. Ethington was irritated to the inquiries-- including Ms. Euler forwarding the list of concerns of the NYS Health Department. Ms. Euler was assigned additional work outside of her field. This violated Civil Service law 61(2).

Ms. Euler could not file a grievance because Mrs. Ethington was one of the people meant to send the complaint to as Personnel Director.

When Ms. Euler fell behind on the additional duties, Mrs. Ethington placed her on reduced workload. The Report then states that Mrs. Ethington lied about making the change to a dual-role.

Ethington approached [redacted] and Treasurer Bill Cherry stating that she was going to fire Ms. Euler "whether or not" she caught up with her work.

Ms. Euler was fired on August 22, 2011 even though her job was still funded until the end of the year in the budget. Ethington claimed that the firing was in part due to a "Lack of Work or Funds." Telling other personnel about the decision separate from a Board decision is a violation of NYS General Municipal Law 805-a.

The problems in the Health Department caused by Ethington continue "to this day."

BREAKING: Board Votes to Put Ethington on Leave

It was a warm November night when most of the Board of Supervisors entered into the County Building. However, three of their number were not there. Bob Mann of Blenheim, Tom Murray of Cobleskill, Anne Batz of Broome all were not in attendance as the Board as they voted on what to do regarding the infamous second part of the Fitzmaurice Report and to deal with Personnel Director.

There was a round of applause when the Board voted on what to do with Cassandra Ethington.

The Board voted 10-2 to suspend the personnel director with pay until a public hearing for possible termination for cause. This would take at least 30 days.

Voting no: Daniel Singletary of Jefferson and Harold Vroman of Summit. Singletary attacked Bill Cherry-- getting another hit in on the Treaurer before the election. Singletary also said that getting rid of Ethington was closing a major office an an "outrageous action" by the Board.

"It was a reign of terror," said former employee Penny Grimes about Ethington's tenure.

Anne Batz showed up after the vote.

Rundown of Second Report Articles:

- Second Report: Ethington Threatened Lawsuits Against those that Spoke to Investigators Against Her 

- Fears of Job-for-Political Favors Trade 

 - Ethington claimed not to want Health Director job, wrote own hiring letter 

- Ethington fired employee that questioned her position as Health Director

Board of Elections Complaint Alleges Push Polling in Jefferson Race


Disconcerting allegations of push polling and deception in the Town of Jefferson Supervisor election have made their way to the Schoharie County District Attorney's office after a initial complaint was filed with the Board of Elections on Tuesday afternoon.

The complaint, which was forwarded to the District Attorney's office on the recommendation of both the county's election commissioners (GOP Chairman Lewis Wilson, Democrat Chairman Clifford Hay), alleges that a poll being conducted by CSI Campaign Research was intentionally skewing their questions to create a negative portrayal of Republican Sean Jordan and the nature of his separation from county employment.

According to details the Schoharie News learned off the record and were confirmed by one of the election commissioners in a phone conversation earlier this afternoon, the poll asked a series of three questions - the first of which concerned the emergency broadcast system, followed by one that asked if the participant would vote for Supervisor Dan Singletary if he proposed a 0% tax increase, with the last asking if the respondent would vote for Mr. Jordan if they knew he was fired from his county position.

The last section is what spurred one recipient of the survey to file a complaint with the Board of Elections, due to the fact it untruthfully claimed that Mr. Jordan was fired from his position as an Economic Development Assistant when in reality he was layed-off in December 2011. Mr. Jordan later sought reinstatement in Jordan v. Schoharie County, accusing Alicia Terry of wrongful termination based on "personal animus," but was denied.

Neither the Board of Elections nor the Schoharie News has been able to discover any information on the alleged polling firm in the complaint, which now awaits further investigation by the District Attorney's office.

Milone Picks Up Support from Cherry

Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone is in the political fight of his life. The one-term incumbent is warding off a challenge from former long-time Supervisor Martin Shrederis. Mr. Milone's bid is complicated over the emotion surrounding the Fitzmaurice Report and its findings.
Mr. Milone did receive a significant boost over the last two weeks, picking up support from former Schoharie Supervisor and current Treasurer William Cherry.

Conservative Party's Influence, Links to Ethingtons Questioned

The Conservative Party of Schoharie County is a legitimate competitor in our right-leaning County. The party itself controls over 1,000 registered voters-- counting over 10% of those that voted in the last County-wide race.

The Conservative Party does not simply tag along with the Republican Party. It has struck out on its own, regularly endorsing Democrats and since 2007 running its own candidates. There have been several large cases as of late, and the party's role in this year's races is certainly mixing up the established order.

Take the recent history, for example:

2007- The first large-scale effort of the Conservative Party to upend local politics. Former Middleburgh Mayor Gary Hayes lost his bid for the Republican nomination for County Clerk 70-30% against Indica Jaycox. Mr. Hayes was then backed by the Conservative Party. In the race against Mrs. Jaycox and Democratic former Middleburgh Supervisor Richard Shultes, the vote was split 60% Republican, 25% Democratic, and 15% Conservative.

2009- The Conservative Party proved to be the kingmaker in that year's races, giving a needed boost to both Cobleskill Supervisor candidate Thomas Murray and Sheriff Candidate Anthony Desmond. Both were also endorsed by the Democratic Party and ran on their lines-- but it was the Conservative Paty line that put them both over the top. In the race where Murray won by 9 votes and Desmond less than 50, the fusion ticket votes from the Conservative line handed them the victories.

2011- Coming off of the success of the 2009 votes, the Conservative Party backed Mr. Hayes again. This time Mr. Hayes ran on both the Conservative and Democratic tickets-- this time winning 36% to Mrs. Jaycox's 64%.

The largest push seems to be this year. Sheriff Desmond left his caucus with the Democrats and lost not only their nomination but also the Conservatives'. Meanwhile, Jefferson Supervisor Daniel Singletary lost the Republican nomination to Sean Jordan. The Conservative Party then endorsed Mr. Singletary and placed him on their line. In Wright, a registered-Conservative, Amber Bleau successfully gained the nomination for Supervisor. In Esperance, Mayor Steve Miller picked up the Conservative and Democratic lines for Supervisor. Tom Murray still holds the Conservative nod in Cobleskill. Martin Shrederis of Schoharie received both the Republican and Conservative Parties' backing.

The largest case, of course, is that of County Sheriff. Deputy Todd Ethington attempted to receive both the Republican and Conservative Parties' support. Ethington came in a distant third in June's Republican caucus behind newly-minted again-Republican Desmond and Deputy Duane Tillapaugh. The support of Conservative Party Chair William Hanson was vital for Ethington to receive the nomination.

The situation is significantly more complicated when taking all of the nominees into consideration. The Party has thrown it weight behind Todd Ethington. Cassandra Ethington, as Personnel Director, signed off on the hiring of Mr. Hanson and Mr. Hayes for different jobs. Beyond this, most of the nominees that the Conservatives have put up this year are explicit supporters of either Todd Ethington for Sheriff or have been of Cassandra Ethington's tenure as Personnel Director.

The Conservative Party already has a large influence on this year's election and will likely have at least some of its nominees win next week. Its future largely rides on whether these nominees can win a majority of the weighted votes on the County Board.

Nine Supervisors Face Opposition, While Vroman Bides his Time


In an election cycle where anti-incumbency is running at all-time highs in Schoharie County, following the tumultuous reign of Summit Supervisor Harold Vroman and the inquiry marred tenure of Fulton Supervisor Phil Skowfoe, it is no wonder that twelve of fourteen town supervisor races are contested this year and that we could possibly witness half of the board removed on Tuesday.
 
However, there are two incumbents that are fortunate enough to escape the voters evaluation. One being the likeable Supervisor of Gilboa, Tony Van Glad, who hasn't faced a challenge in years with the other being the aforementioned Supervisor of Summit, Harold Vroman, who in the eyes of the Schoharie News is rather deserving of an opponent.
 
On principle we believe that all incumbents deserve to be challenged, basing our belief on John Dalberg-Acton's famous quotation that "power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." As such, no occupant of any level of governance should feel entitled to keep his power without the consent of the governed through a contested vote.
 
This holds especially true in regards to Mr. Vroman, who during his two years atop the Board of Supervisors oversaw not only a county government that engaged in harassment and misconduct by its Personnel Director against its own employees but a county board that was sued by half of its members because Mr. Vroman switched committee assignments mid-year to accommodate his allies.
 
While all of his lieutenants face serious challenges across the county on Tuesday, Mr. Vroman will remain at ease with full knowledge that his reelection is guaranteed. Thanks in part to his name appearing on the Democratic, Republican, Conservative and Independence Party lines, eliminating any hope for even a write-in to possibly mount a last minute bid.
 
With the balance of power very narrow in county politics at this time, all Mr. Vroman needs is for one town to flip and his coalition will once more regain control of the board, all the while he rests comfortably in Summit while the current board Chairman Phil Skowfoe fights off a tough challenge in Fulton - the way every incumbent should have to, particularly those with heightened influence in the political realm. .

Tri-Partisan Ad Raises Eyebrows

An ad that appeared in this week's edition of the Cobleskill paper raised eyebrows. It featured a bi-partisan cast (tri-partisan if you include Conservative nominee Daniel Singletary) that co-sponsored the feature. The group included multiple allies of embattled Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington, including Cobleskill Supervisor Tom Murray and Mr. Singletary.


In the middle is former Chair of the Board Harold Vroman. The candidates are eight of the fourteen up for election-- including four incumbents.

The Best of the Summer

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